“It’s a joy to bring an endangered species into the world, to create one more panda.” — National Zoo Director Brandie Smith
Most people end a stressful day with some exercise or a glass of wine. Brandie Smith gets to cuddle with a tenrec. “If I was having a rough day or week, I would go to our Small Mammal House,” she says. “It looks like a hedgehog. Their belly is super-soft, and when you hold them, they’ll flatten against your hand as they seek the warmth.” If everyone had access to such comforts, the world would be a happier place. “A tenrec in every hand,” she says with a laugh.
We as a species are connected to other species. When people view things that fill them with awe—whether it’s awe because it’s adorable or because it’s a little scary and creepy or because it’s just immense or tiny—you actually have a biochemical reaction. When people come to the zoo, they have those moments of awe, moments of joy. And they have them with other people—with their kids or their spouse or friends or a date.
The woman who answered the phone said, “Well, the head of conservation and research has been looking for interns.” She connected me, and he picked up his phone. He said, “You know what? You took the initiative to call, and I’m going to interview you right now.” I got the job.It absolutely would have. The idea of taking a chance, taking the initiative and being rewarded for that, of trying to be fearless—that is something that’s stood me in good stead throughout my life.
There’s never a downside to their popularity. But to what you said secondly, yes: I want people to feel the same way about sloths and hellbenders and prairie dogs as they feel about giant pandas. I don’t begrudge the pandas any of their popularity. But I would love to replicate that for every single species at the zoo.It is! And this goes to the question you asked me originally. There is aresponse when you see things that inspire you.
It’s Tinder for cheetahs. With animal conservation, sometimes people don’t like to think about it because it’s depressing. Tell me a success story. I don’t know anything about that facility or the conditions in which the animals are kept. But for me, on one hand, it was watching them and hoping that the zebras were brought home safe and sound. On the other, it was pretty amazing: You would think it would be easy to find zebras and bring them back in. It was these animals surviving in Maryland—just kind of a testament to these animals as a species.